Follow Up On Probe Of Harassment

March 31, 1993

In polite circles, when homeowners protest something undesirable moving nearby, it`s called ``the NIMBY Syndrome.`` But under federal law, when this ``Not-In-My-Back-Yard`` attitude is distorted into housing discrimination, it`s called a crime.

It`s nice to hear from an attorney that some Cooper City homeowners are calling off opposition to a group home for disabled and retarded people.

It`s not so nice to realize that they did so only after they learned the FBI was investigating whether anyone committed serious criminal and civil violations of the U.S. Fair Housing Act during a campaign of violent harassment of the home.

Despite the neighbors` announced halt of opposition, the FBI`s probe of possible civil rights violations should continue. The acts of hate and bigotry cannot be excused.

Sunrise Community Inc., a Miami nonprofit agency, recently bought a private house in the Cooper Village subdivision to house six adults. This outraged some neighbors, who yelled threats at a public hearing, vowing harassment and retaliation. Ray Bennici, president of Cooper Village United Homeowners, who lives across the street from the group home, said, ``We will be hostile. We will make living in that home miserable. If you thought Cooper City was heaven, you made a big mistake.``

Hateful words were soon followed by hateful deeds. Eggs were tossed, windows broken and a mailbox damaged. There were hostile signs like ``Keep out. We don`t want you here`` and noisy pickets. Staff members were cursed, spit on and even threated with death.

Neighbors were blinded by ignorance and fear. The home`s residents are sane and nonviolent and already interact with the outside world by having jobs. Numerous studies show that the presence of group homes does not lower property values. The home, a former eyesore, is being renovated.

This case should send a warning that housing discrimination, even in the guise of protecting property values, is intolerable.

It is legal and understandable for neighbors to be concerned about the impact of -- or peacefully object to -- a group home. But it is illegal under the Fair Housing Act to ``coerce, intimidate, threaten or interfere`` with any person`s right to housing. Penalties include jail, a $100,000 civil fine and unlimited civil penalties.

Group homes can help people disabled by mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism or spina bifida enjoy the benefits of a more normal life, live in a ``real home`` instead of a crowded institution and interact with other people in the community.

Let`s hope the the irrational fear, ignorance, hatred and housing bias can be replaced with compassion, understanding and tolerance. This ugly incident has tarnished Cooper City`s reputation for welcoming newcomers to ``someplace special`` to live.